The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and for a higher disability evaluation for his fractures of the left middle, ring, and little fingers with traumatic arthritis. The reasons were that there was no credible evidence supporting the claimed in-service stressor leading to PTSD, and no chronic or continuous symptoms of any diagnosed psychiatric condition during service or post-service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the veteran did not engage in combat and could not verify his claim of participation in aircraft crash clean-up operations. There was also no diagnosis of PTSD, and the veteran's diagnoses were consistently bi-polar disorder throughout the appeal period.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), Bi-Polar Disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 21, 2000
- Citation
- 0025286
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0025286.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for PTSD due to Military Sexual Trauma and also granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for PTSD.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is rated at 70 percent since July 13, 2015. Prior to that date, the rating was 50 percent.,The Veteran has been granted TDIU effective July 13, 2015.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder condition and acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, are not related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or stressor.
- Granted
The Board has restored service connection for the veteran's Bi-Polar Disorder and PTSD, finding that the criteria to sever service connection have not been met.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.